Automobile lamp



Nov. 25, 1930. J. A. SULLIVAN 1,782,551

AUTOMOBILE LAMP I Filed Nov. 26, 1928 2 She ets-Sheet 1 awomcoz Jms J]. 524131 V6671,

$13 abhor/w Nov; 25, 1930. J. A. SULLIVAN AUTOMOBILE LAMP Filed Nov. 26, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 9 m E x x 1\\ m m a Kw m M v. Cw fiw i. Mm 6 m M 11/! 1/ a r 8334 Z 11 QMQW Patented Nov. 25, i930 UNITED STATES JAMES A. SULLIVAN, or JERSEY orrr, NEW JERS Y AUTOMOBILE LAMP Application filed November 26,1928, Serial Nb. 321,979.

The presentinvention relates to improvements inautomobile lamps, and has for an M ObJGClZ to provide an improved automobile I lamp'constructed and designed to afford ample illumination for the roadway in advance of the automobile to which such a lamp is attached,without, however, directing the rays of the light upwardly or into the-eyes of drivers ofapproaching vehicles.

Another object of the invention is to produce an improved head lamp in which the dazzling glare so usually to befound in present constructions of head lamps is entirely avoided by the use of indirect illumination. 7 i

A further object is to providea comparatively simple and inexpensive form of head lamp in Whichthe offset housing for the source of illumination-which produces the indirect lighting is incorporated with the lamp casing andstructure in such a way as to permit of economical manufacture and attractive designing.

l/Vith the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will be more fully described hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed out in the claim appended hereto. v p V In thedrawings, wherein like symbols refer the several views,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of an improved head lamp constructed according to the present invention,

V Figure 2 is ahorizontal section taken on the line 22 in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 33 in Figure l,

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4 4 in'Figure 3, and V Figure 5 is a front view showing a modification. r f Referring more particularly to the drawto like or corresponding parts throughout ings, 6 designates the shell or casing of an au-' tomobile head lamp, and 7 represents aparabolic reflector mounted within the casing for directing the rays from the source of illumination out through the lens shown at 8. v

In accordance with the invention, one or more offset lamp housings 9 are provided. In

Figures '1 to 4," inclusive, two such lamp houses are shown in opposite sides of the lamp casing 6 while in Figure 5 asingle lamp hous ing 9 is shown centrally above the casing.

J Internally the lamp housings are provided with reflectors lO which may be continuations of the parabolic reflector 7 Each lamp housing carries a source of illumination 11 andthe electric lamps 11 shown are preferably offset forwardly and outwardly fromthe central portions ofthe housing 9. The housings and the reflectors communicate through openings, which, in Figure 3, are shown as preferably of a generally triangular form having straight vertical front walls .12 and upper and lower wallsl3 and 14 mutually curved together and meeting in the rear portions of the openings at central ap'exportions." These walls 13 and 14- gradually cut off the light rays toward'therear portionsof the openings to avoidall butthe centralraysissuing through the openings, as the rays at the upper and l lower portionsof the openings, each being reflected from the mirror surface or reflector 10, would be apt to rise to such a level as to encounter the eyes of occupants of approaching vehicles. Moreover, the straight front 7 wall 12 in combination with the formation given the front part of the casing provides a light abutment 15 for'preventing the direct 8o illumination of the lens 8 by the lamps 11 and forpreventing the direct rays from the lamp issuing out through the casing and being oh I servable. The position of the lamps 11 in the housings is also effective to maintain the g lamps behind the abutments 15. In Figure 4 the lamp housings are shown as above the bottom portion of thecasing.

In the operation of the device, the rays of light from the lamps 11 will issue through the 9p triangular openings as permitted by the for- :mation of such oaenin s and will im in e upon the reflector 7, being therebydirected outwardly throughthe lens 8 to illuminate the I roadway. The reflectors 10within the housings will, of course, reflect rays of light l through the openings, and the light rays will strike the parabolic reflector and serve to provide ample illumination for the roadway.

Owing to the fact thatthe lamp housings are offset, the rays from the bulbs will be prevented from encountering the eyes of the driver of an approaching machine and dazzling him. Moreover, the abutments 15 and the Walls 13 and 14- of the openings prevent the reflected light rays from becoming troublesome to such drivers.

In Figure 5 tWo lamps are shown as arranged in one housing, the same giving substantially the same amount of light as tWo lamps in opposite pockets or housings, as shown in Figure 4.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction and design of the above specifically described embodiment of this invention Without departing from the spirit thereof.

What is claimed is In combination with an automobile head lamp including a casing, reflector and lens, an offset lamp house forming a continuation of said casing, a reflector lining the inside of said lamp house, said lamp house and easing having a substantially triangular opening between the same with a substantially vertical front wall and with upper and lower Walls rearwardly converging and meeting at a central apex in the rear portion of the opening, said front wall in combination with the front part of the casing providing a light abutment, and a source of illumination oflset forwardly and outwardly from the central portion of the lamp house behind said abutment.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JAMES A. SULLIVAN. 

